Intolerance can come in many forms, and even the smallest everyday comment can be a form of discrimination. Microaggressions are defined as: “the everyday verbal, nonverbal and environmental slights, snubs or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”

   In other words, a microaggression is a small comment or action that can be interpreted as hurtful toward a person or group of people. Unfortunately, even in our more politically correct society, microaggressions are still common and LHS is no exception.

   Microaggressions can appear in several different, yet equally damaging forms. Junior Jillian Lappin, a member of Diversity Council and Gay Straight Alliance club, said she sees these prejudicial acts on an everyday basis.

   “There are plenty of small insults like ‘that’s so gay’ or saying a boy that acts feminine is gay or even calling someone who is transgender ‘it’,” Lappin said.

   Gay Straight Alliance club member sophomore Dani Bessmer agrees.

   “I have noticed a lot of slurs and people wearing t-shirts that are making fun of clubs who are working to achieve equality,” Bessemer said. “I have noticed a lot of slurs at hetero and cisnormativity.”

   Other problematic areas of discrimination are racism and sexism.

   “When I tell people that I’m Nigerian and they meet my parents they assume that because my parents have very thick accents they can’t understand what they’re saying,” senior Favor Oribhabor said. “You can’t assume that someone is less intelligent just because of their race. Or even being a girl, like in stagecraft, people ask for strong guys to help with things even though girls can do it.”

   The commonality of these microaggressions is astounding.

   “I experience microaggressions three to four times a week,” Bessmer said.

   Some of these microaggressions against other groups occur simply because the person making the comment does not have a good understanding of the group they are insulting.

   “Most of it is ignorance and fear,” Lappin said. “Most people when they don’t understand something they feel the need to attack it or lash out.”

   There is one specific area that could use some extra attention when spreading awareness about toleration and the damage caused by microaggressions.

   “I can only speak for the LGBT community,” Lappin said. “All of these areas could use improvement, but LGBT topics seem to be more taboo than others. People feel like they need to talk about it and should know about it.”

   Teachers and staff have these instances of prejudice and discrimination on their radar just as much as students do.

   “We’ve had student reports of things being said in the hallway that are somewhat disturbing and comments made in classrooms that are disheartening for students to hear, such as statements being made about a person’s ethnicity, race or religion that are just disrespectful,” counselor and Diversity Council sponsor Brenda Wiederholt said.

   Teachers play a vital role in providing this education and should step in when they see one of these microaggressions take place.

   “I think one of the most important things is when staff members and faculty hear a statement that is disrespectful and inappropriate that it is addressed immediately,” Wiederholt said. “If there are any incidents that are witnessed they need to be addressed immediately and those students need to be made aware of why their statements or actions are not okay.”

   Because they deal with most members of the student body on a daily basis, teachers need to be sure they are contributing to making the school a tolerant and safe environment for everyone. Although effort is made for this to be the case, teachers could still stand to be a little more careful.

   “Maybe the teachers are trying a little harder now that we’ve held a student panel for them,” Lappin said. “Publicly they all, or a great majority, will try very hard to keep their personal beliefs to themselves. They might not talk about their beliefs but they won’t try to attack people of diversities. They still might say something hurtful and they may not realize it.”

   As far as development in the areas of toleration and embracing differences within the school, students and staff feel that they are making progress, but there is still room for improvement.

   “I think we do a pretty decent job,” Oribhabor said. “It used to be that someone uses a racial slur and they get away with it. Now if you say it, someone is going to call you out. There’s always room for improvement.”

   With efforts from Diversity Council and increased recognition of these issues throughout the school, conflicts of intolerance are slowly being solved.

   “I would say these problems are getting better because our Diversity Council has done a good job with bringing awareness to our staff members and so I am hopeful these issues will improve,” Wiederholt said. “I think that students are more willing to talk about issues now so hopefully it will just continue to get better.”

   Efforts to continue embracing differences and diversity are critical and there are many different ways to further strive for a more accepting environment.

   Leaders within the school have recognized the importance of educating students and staff members alike on topics of embracing diversity as well as tolerating differences in others.

   “Providing education for the person is critical to point out the statement is derogatory and hurtful,” counselor and co-sponsor of Diversity Council Kathy Alagna said.

   Oribhabor agrees.

   “I think it’s a matter of educating yourself and talking to other people rather than getting second and third hand accounts of what is happening,” she said.

   Overall, diversity and embracing the differences is an essential part of uniting the population of LHS and the community. Part of doing so is raising awareness, putting an end to microaggressions and other acts of discrimination.

   “An organization must continually strive for compliance with the law, civil rights for individuals and openness to diversity,” Alagna said. “We can never be complacent with matters of such importance.”